Budapest is the capital and most populous city of Hungary. It is the ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits. The city has an estimated population of 1,752,286 over a land area of about 525 square kilometers (203 square miles). Budapest, both a city and county, It is the central point of Budapest’s metropolitan area. The area covers 7,626 km (2,944 miles). There are 3,303,786, which accounts for 33% of Hungary’s population.

The history of Budapest began when an early Celtic settlement transformed into the Roman town of Aquincum, the capital of Lower Pannonia. The Hungarians arrived in the territory in the late 9th century, but the Mongols pillaged the area in 1241–42.

Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the southwest of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economic center of Baranya County. Pécs is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pécs.

A city dating back to ancient times, settled by the Celts and the Romans, it was made an episcopal see in early medieval Hungary. It features the oldest university in the country and is one of the important cultural centers. Pécs also has a rich heritage from the age of a 150-year-long Ottoman occupation. Pécs was historically a multi-ethnic city where many cultures intermingled, creating a melting pot of different values, the rich result of 2000 years of history.

Debrecen, Hungary’s second-largest, is the seat of Hajdu-Bihar County and the regional center for the Northern Great Plain region. It was the biggest Hungarian city during the 18th century and is one of the most important cultural centers for the Hungarian people. Debrecen was also Hungary’s capital during the Revolution of 1848-1849.

The Revolution saw the fall of the Habsburg dynasty in the Reformed Great Church. It was also the capital of Hungary at the end of World War II (1944-1945). The University of Debrecen is located here.

Szeged, Hungary’s third largest city, is also the regional center of the Southern Great Plain. It also serves as the county seat for Csongrad-Csanad. The University of Szeged, one of Hungary’s most respected universities, is located in Szeged.

The Szeged Festival Open Air Festival is one of the major attractions. It is held annually and celebrated as the Day of the City, 21 May.

Miskolc, a city in northeastern Hungary, is known for its heavy industries. Miskolc, which has a population of 161,265 (1 January 2014), is Hungary’s fourth-largest city (behind Debrecen and Szeged). It is also the capital of Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen and the regional center of Northern Hungary.